Okla. Highway Patrol Trooper, 2 Others Killed in Interstate Crash
What to know
- Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Vernon Brake was killed on duty Wednesday when a vehicle crossed the median on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City and struck his patrol vehicle head-on, killing the officer, the other driver and a child passenger.
- Investigators believe the crash happened after the southbound driver took evasive action to avoid debris, equipment or stopped vehicles, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol seeking help identifying a truck of interest near the scene.
- Brake, a 2006 academy graduate who worked in commercial motor vehicle enforcement, is survived by his wife and two children.
Investigators with OHP's Traffic Homicide Unit are asking for the public’s help in identifying a truck of interest in the fatal crash.
Investigators believe Bayne was forced to take evasive action to avoid either debris or equipment or vehicles that had stopped ahead of her. The agency on its Facebook page shared a photo of a truck that stopped on I-35 near the crash scene. Investigators believe it could have lost part of its load or stopped to assist in clearing the debris.
Anyone with information on the truck or who saw anything that could be helpful to investigators is asked to call the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Communications Center at 405-425-2323.
Brake graduated the OHP Academy in 2006, working primarily with commercial motor vehicle enforcement with Troop S.
"Brake is survived by his wife and two children. Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with his family as well as the family of the other driver involved," a statement posted to OHP social media read.
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